South African officials sought to identify quarantine sites across the country on Wednesday, as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 709 from 554 and the health minister warned infections were expected to keep rising.

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has identified 37 state owned properties throughout the country that could possibly be used as quarantine sites for people living in informal settlements.

Public Works Minister, Patricia de Lille, has given Parliament the assurance that upgrades of parliamentary villages which accommodate Members of Parliament (MPs) in Cape Town will go ahead at a cost of R110 million .